Bunny and The Bull

Bunny and The Bull has shot in and out of cinemas in a flash, which is a shame as there’s more imagination here than a 100 blockbusters put together. Having said that this is such a low key effort it feels a bit out of place on the cinema screen, but I expect it to gain a cult following on DVD. In fact, that’s hardly surprising considering first time director Paul King has previously worked on Dark Place and The Mighty Boosh. For his cinematic debut King tells us the story of Stephen (Edward Hogg), a shut-in who, by a series of visions, recalls his European trip of the previous year with his friend Bunny (Simon Farnaby). The problem with flash backs is that the narrative structure can become just a series of scenes thrown together, or in this instance, sketches thrown together. This isn’t all bad though, with some of the situational comedy providing some ripe laughs. Some scenes though stutter badly, including a crass mini cameo from Boosh alumnus Julian Barratt. Where the film does score heavily though is in its inspired use of set design and animation. It’s like the characters have walked into the love child of Gilliam and Gondry. The effect is wondrous at times and adds a charm to the film that otherwise may have been lacking. King also does well in handling the relationship between the male friends which leads to a surprisingly touching dénouement. This may be a bit too off the wall for some, but by giving films like this a chance it means they’ll always be an alternative to the standard blockbuster formula.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Flimsy at times, but good gags, great animation and a poignant finish all add up to a surreal and enjoyable little film. Rating: 7/10.